Timo Weiland: Incredible emerging designer and… former classmate?

The human brain is a weird thing. I mean, I can remember Phil Collins song lyrics from 16 years ago. I know every stop on the Clark St. #22 bus in Chicago. But, there are some instances where I just seriously drop the ball.

[Timo wearing one of his eponymous looks, the Classic Bow in Brown Paper leather.]

I’ve been reading post after post after post about Timo Weiland, all glowing. Seriously. People love this guy. And I’m quickly figuring out why.

Every time I’d read his name, I idly noted how similar it was to a guy 2 years behind me in high school. Vague memories of this: good looking, trim, swim team (?), rad group of friends, possibly a cool pair of baby blue pants (?), but then again I clearly wasn’t paying enough… oh wait. It is him.

[Timo Weiland’s Spring ’10 RTW, images courtesy Refinery29.]

Simply stunning. The collection features

…crisp tailoring and soft pleating reminiscent of Baroque-era aristocrats—and modern cuts and cascading collars are a perfect fit with all the bold detailing. Silk charmeuse and custom-printed cotton, likened to a “decaying garden encircling a rural English manor house” give a touch of sentimentality to Timo’s clean palette of blues, greens, and greys on creme. – Refinery 29

But if you’ve heard of him prior to this, it’s probably been because of his line of neckwear launched in ’09: neckties, skinny ties, bow ties, ruffled collars, ascots… all in sumptuous silk and leather.

[Ruffled collar in dutchess satin—dying for one.]

[Look, it’s unisex!]

Hey! He got Jacquelyn (fellow EHS alum; current NYCer/artist) to model this collar! Fun fact: I used to drive her to school in my carpool. I think she has permanent hearing damage from my terrible music. (Jacquelyn, I was going through a Hate Things period. Sorry.) We need to come up with a new way to say “it’s a small world.”

[Jacquelyn in the bowtie bib in apple mustard silk.]

This just scratches the surface. Timo and his design partner, Alan Eckstein, are most likely about to blow the Hanes right off our hineys. They certainly made an impression at Fashion Week this year. [For more, you must read this.]

[Timo and Alan with The City star Erin and Gossip Girl’s Yin Chang (dude, Nelly Yuki).]

Cheers to you, dude! I can’t wait to follow him in all the amazing things he’ll no doubt continue to do. Check out his website for more information and stores.